Threadfin Butterflyfish

Care Summary

The Threadfin is the gateway butterflyfish for most hobbyists because it eats almost anything, ships well, and adjusts to captive life faster than nearly any other species in the family. That trailing dorsal filament is an eye-catcher that makes even experienced aquarists pause at the fish store. Keep it in a FOWLR or fish-only system because it will consume everything from coral polyps to tube worms to anemones given the opportunity. For butterflyfishes, the Threadfin is about as forgiving as it gets, making it the most honest recommendation for anyone entering the family for the first time.